# Looking for a word to describe **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 18, 2003, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-word-to-describe/155935 "2003-02-18T19:00:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-word-to-describe/155935/1 "2003-02-18T19:00:45Z")
…that little half-smile/half frown thing one does when one passes someone that one doesn’t know well enough to say hello, or when two people have to avoid bumping into each other as they walk around a corner from opposite directions, and like that. That expression that says “I don’t know you well enough or this interaction doesn’t qualify you for a ‘hello’ but I acknowledge your presence.” So far I’m thinking the closest choice is [moue](http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=moue&r=2) but the “disdaneful” and “pout” connotations don’t really fit what I’m after. Suggestions? Or shall we neologize something for such an occasion? ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-word-to-describe/155935/2 "2003-02-18T19:03:11Z")
I prefer ‘polite smile’. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-word-to-describe/155935/3 "2003-02-18T19:11:40Z")
I call 'em an “acknowledgement smirk” Tripler :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-word-to-describe/155935/4 "2003-02-18T19:14:59Z")
An “eyebrow salute”? ---
**Author:** ![No\_Me\_Ayudes\_Compadre](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/no_me_ayudes_compadre/32/5224_2.png) [@No\_Me\_Ayudes\_Compadre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Me_Ayudes_Compadre)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-word-to-describe/155935/5 "2003-02-18T19:16:02Z")
One of the [dictionary.com](http://dictionary.com) definitions of smirk is “A forced or affected smile; a simper.” In turn, a simper is defined as a silly, self-conscious smile. If accompanied by a miniscule throwing back of the head and a very slight raising of the eyebrows, I’d just call it a “hey”. ---
**Author:** ![Francesca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc348/32.png) [@Francesca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francesca)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-word-to-describe/155935/6 "2003-02-18T19:22:59Z")
I can give you an exact word. And further words to describe the awfulness of corridor politics. From Douglas Adams’ _The Meaning of Liff_ - see from [Corriearklet to Corriemucaloch](http://flyingarts.net/switch/tmcm/resources/liff/c.html). God bless Douglas Adams. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-word-to-describe/155935/7 "2003-02-18T20:12:38Z")
The Adams definitions seem to belabored to me and the words sound excessively made-up. Yes I realize all words are made up but I was thinking along the lines of something that sounds like might have actually have formed on its own (and I get the contradiction between that and my suggestion that we make something up). The preparations for the Adams things are also all too elaborate for the scenario I envision, which is more of a “drive-by” reactive thing. I think “moue” is my choice. Thinking about it, it fits well (being pronounced “moo”) with dealing with cow-orkers. ---
**Author:** ![MisterThyristor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecccb3/32.png) [@MisterThyristor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MisterThyristor)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2003, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-word-to-describe/155935/8 "2003-02-19T12:14:20Z")
Doesn’t a moue involve a pursing of the lips?